straddle
UK: ˈstræd.l̩ | US: ˈstræd.l̩
v. to sit or stand with legs wide apart
v. to extend across or over something
v. (finance) to hold both long and short positions in the same security
n. the act of straddling
The word "straddle" originates from Middle English stradlen, derived from Old English stradolian, meaning "to spread the legs." The root stradd- is linked to the Proto-Germanic stradōną, reflecting the action of spanning or stretching. The suffix -le is a frequentative verb ending, indicating repeated or continuous action. Over time, "straddle" evolved to describe both physical posture and metaphorical spanning (e.g., financial strategies).
The gymnast straddled the balance beam with ease.
The bridge straddles the river, connecting two towns.
Investors often straddle options to hedge risks.
He straddled the chair backward, resting his arms on the backrest.
The mountain range straddles the border between the two countries.